Snorkelling on Rottnest Island

The best snorkelling on Rottnest Island is on its two marked underwater trails, at Parker Point and Little Salmon Bay on the south coast, with plaques on the seabed that explain the reef; The Basin, near the jetty, is the easy first swim. You reach all three by bike, and Rottnest Fast Ferries’ Full-Day Bike and Ferry Trip lets you add a snorkel set when you book: the ferry from Hillarys, the bike and the admission fee are from US$87 a person (checked October 2026), rated 4.7 from 2,992 reviews.

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The Parker Point trail

About 800 metres of reef along an underwater limestone ridge, with 12 information plaques on the seabed, each with handles so you can hold on while you read. It runs out towards the Parker Point Marine Sanctuary Zone and back, and takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It is around 20 minutes by bike from Thomson Bay, or stop 5 on the Island Explorer bus.

The Little Salmon Bay trail

A loop of about 700 metres in a sheltered bay, marked by buoys above plaques on the seabed, starting and ending on the beach. The water is calm, which makes it the better choice for families and first-timers. It is part of the Parker Point sanctuary, so no fishing and no collecting. Allow about an hour; it is around 25 minutes by bike, or stop 6 on the Island Explorer.

The Basin and the north shore

For a swim and a look at fish without a long ride, The Basin, about a kilometre from the jetty, is a shallow beach sheltered by rocky outcrops, with reef and tidal pools beyond the sand; it suits children and first-time snorkellers. Pinky Beach next to it and Parakeet Bay further west are the other north-shore swims. The two snorkel trails are on the opposite coast, so check the day’s wind and pick the sheltered side.

What to bring

Your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or add a set to the bike and ferry booking above. Reef shoes help on the limestone. In summer the sun is strong: a rash vest or a T-shirt in the water saves your back. Swim between the flags on patrolled beaches, and snorkel with someone else.

A boat dive, for certified divers

If you dive, Bucket List Diver’s Rottnest scuba diving day trip leaves from East Street Jetty for two divemaster-led dives on the island’s limestone reefs, with lunch and the park fees included, US$236, for certified divers who have dived in the last 12 months. One guest this October warned there was no shower room on the day, though the listing mentions a hot shower.

Pick your snorkelling day:

Prices and review counts as listed on GetYourGuide in October 2026, not a quote.

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